I Stayed at Japan's BIGGEST Ice Village | -20°C in Hokkaido

Step onto Lake Shikaribetsu, the highest lake in Hokkaido, which freezes solid for two months a year, allowing an entire igloo village to be built on its surface. It's like Hoth from Star Wars! Be careful, as the ice can be slippery. You can check the temperature using an alcohol thermometer, noting how different alcohols freeze at different points. The lake is 100m deep, so don't fall through! The igloos actually get bigger as the day goes on and more snow falls, making them perhaps the only accommodation in the world that grows with the weather. It's about as big as some Tokyo apartments.

Experience dog sledding, a traditional Ainu transportation method, with instructor Tetsu Takito. You'll sit at the front of the sled while someone else guides the dogs from the back. Be prepared for the dogs to 'poo poo' while running! It's a bit messy but incredibly fun. The sleds can cover up to 145km in a day, though we aimed for 12km. Steering requires careful braking, especially on corners, to avoid tipping over. The dogs are disciplined and trained, making for a magical glide across glistening powdery snow fields with the beautiful Hidaka mountain range in the distance. Your fingers might get frostbite, but it's worth it! It's more enjoyable than riding a horse, and you'll be panting from excitement.

Defrost your fingers and warm up with a hearty bowl of Butadon, a local specialty of South Hokkaido. This dish features thick, juicy pork with a sweet, sticky, char-grilled barbecue sauce, served over rice. It's incredibly calorific and delicious, originally created in the early Meiji era to provide stamina for workers. The miso soup even comes with a handle, which is very convenient! It's a 10/10 dish, simple and best.